Wednesday September 5, 2012

How will you bless people  this week at church. Plan to do just one thing.

 

Read 1 Corinthians 12:7

 

Now to each one

the manifestation of the Spirit

is given

for the common good.

 

It may seem a little strange to have today’s one and only verse looming at you larger than life. But I want you to be shocked by it. Hear me clearly. I want you to be shocked by it. Why? because it is a shocking verse! It is a radical, life altering verse as soon as we begin to take it seriously.

 

What’s so shocking about this verse? Let’s go through it line by line. We read firstly that something is given to each one. Each and every single person in God’s church has this “something” from God to share. No one can sit back and say ‘there is nothing for me to do.’ No one  can be idle in God’s church. You have a role to play.  Why is that shocking? Throughout most churches we see only 30% of the people actively involved in serving and ministry. The same people volunteer time and time again. 70% are sitting back doing nothing! God’s plan is totally opposed to this. God wants every single person to be actively involved.  You simply cannot maintain a laid back, stay out of it attitude in God’s church.

 

In the second line we read that each person in the church is given a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Put simply, God’s Holy Spirit has equipped you in some way, shape or form. You have everything you need to get involved.  Why is that shocking? Most churches are very particular about who they let serve and often choose people with regard to worldly characteristics. God’s plan is that those who are gifted and equipped by His Spirit serve in that area.

 

In the 3rd line we read that this gift is given to you. You cannot earn it or buy it. You cannot work for or it pretend to have it. It is a gracious gift of God’s Holy Spirit given freely to you.

 

Finally, we read that it’s for the common good. You are to use your gifts for the enrichment, the betterment and increase of others. You are to serve selflessly. You are to take up your cross and follow Jesus using whatever gift you have to bless others with. Why is that shocking? I would estimate that over 90% of believers in this land put themselves and their needs first. If sports is on, church gets left behind. If I’m too busy at work, church gets knocked back. If I’ve had a busy week with the kids at school, sport and homework and stressful relationships, I just won’t go to church on Sonday. When ever one single believer misses church and refuses to bless others  the entire church misses out. God is telling us to use our gifts and abilities for the welfare and blessing of others.

 

Read the verse for today again. Read it four or five times and ask God to show you what it really means and how it is going to apply to you from today onwards.

 

 

Prayer:

Spend time in adoration, confession and thanks. Write down your points for future reference.

 

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

¨ Pray that God’s Holy Spirit would be showing believers what manifestation they have been given so that they can serve and give for the blessing of others.

¨ Pray that your church would be leading the way in sacrificial love and service and that you would be instrumental in changing people’s attitude and mindset on serving by your life style and actions.